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Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese
Syllabus code 0507
For examination in June 2011
Note for Exams Officers: Before making Final Entries, please check availability of the codes for the
components and options in the E3 booklet (titled “Procedures for the Submission of Entries”) relevant to the
exam session. Please note that component and option codes are subject to change.
Contents
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese
Syllabus code 0507
1. Introduction ..................................................................................... 2
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Why choose Cambridge?
Why choose Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese?
Cambridge International Certificate of Education (ICE)
How can I find out more?
2. Assessment at a glance .................................................................. 4
3. Syllabus aims and assessment ....................................................... 5
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Aims
Assessment objectives
Specification grid
Exam exclusions
4. Description of papers ...................................................................... 8
4.1 Paper 2: Reading and Directed Writing
4.2 Paper 3: Continuous Writing
5. Curriculum content .......................................................................... 9
6. Grade descriptions ........................................................................ 10
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
© UCLES 2008
1. Introduction
1.1 Why choose Cambridge?
University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is the world’s largest provider of international
qualifications. Around 1.5 million students from 150 countries enter Cambridge examinations every year.
What makes educators around the world choose Cambridge?
Recognition
Cambridge IGCSE is internationally recognised by schools, universities and employers as equivalent to UK
GCSE. Cambridge IGCSE is excellent preparation for A/AS Level, the Advanced International Certificate of
Education (AICE), US Advanced Placement Programme and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
Learn more at www.cie.org.uk/recognition.
Support
CIE provides a world-class support service for teachers and exams officers. We offer a wide range of
teacher materials to Centres, plus teacher training (online and face-to-face) and student support materials.
Exams officers can trust in reliable, efficient administration of exams entry and excellent, personal support
from CIE Customer Services. Learn more at www.cie.org.uk/teachers.
Excellence in education
Cambridge qualifications develop successful students. They not only build understanding and knowledge
required for progression, but also learning and thinking skills that help students become independent
learners and equip them for life.
Not-for-profit, part of the University of Cambridge
CIE is part of Cambridge Assessment, a not-for-profit organisation and part of the University of Cambridge.
The needs of teachers and learners are at the core of what we do. CIE invests constantly in improving its
qualifications and services. We draw upon education research in developing our qualifications.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
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1. Introduction
1.2 Why choose Cambridge IGCSE First Language
Japanese?
The Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese syllabus is designed for candidates whose mother tongue
is Japanese. Cambridge IGCSE First Language qualifications are accepted by universities and employers as
proof of knowledge and understanding of a language. Successful candidates gain lifelong skills including:
•
the ability to communicate clearly, accurately and effectively in writing;
•
the ability to use a wide range of vocabulary, and correct grammar, spelling and punctuation;
•
a personal style and an awareness of the audience being addressed.
Students are also encouraged to read widely, both for their own enjoyment and to further their awareness of
the ways in which the language can be used. Cambridge IGCSE First Language qualifications also develop
more general analysis and communication skills such as synthesis, inference, and the ability to order facts
and present opinions effectively.
1.3 Cambridge International Certificate of Education (ICE)
Cambridge ICE is the group award of the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).
It requires the study of subjects drawn from the five different IGCSE subject groups. It gives schools the
opportunity to benefit from offering a broad and balanced curriculum by recognising the achievements of
students who pass examinations in at least seven subjects, including two languages, and one subject from
each of the other subject groups.
The Cambridge portfolio of IGCSE qualifications provides a solid foundation for higher level courses such
as GCE A and AS Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma as well as excellent preparation for
employment.
A wide range of IGCSE subjects is available and these are grouped into five curriculum areas. First
Language Japanese (0507) falls into Group I, Languages.
Learn more about ICE at www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/ice.
1.4 How can I find out more?
If you are already a Cambridge Centre
You can make entries for this qualification through your usual channels, e.g. CIE Direct. If you have any
queries, please contact us at international@cie.org.uk.
If you are not a Cambridge Centre
You can find out how your organisation can become a Cambridge Centre. Email us at
international@cie.org.uk. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Cambridge Centre at
www.cie.org.uk.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
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2. Assessment at a glance
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese
Syllabus code 0507
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese comprises two papers. All candidates take Papers 2 and 3 and
are eligible for the award of grades A* to G.
Paper 2: Reading and Directed Writing
2¼ hours
Part 1 – 40 marks
Question 1 – 20 marks
Candidates select, compare and summarise specific information from Passages 1
and 2.
Weighting
60%
Question 2 – 20 marks
Candidates respond to a directed writing task based on their understanding of
Passage 1 and Passage 2.
Part 2 – 20 marks
Candidates answer questions testing control of grammatical structures and
awareness of register and style.
Paper 3: Continuous Writing
1¼ hours
Candidates write one composition of 600–800 characters.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
4
Weighting
40%
3. Syllabus aims and assessment
3.1 Aims
The aims of the syllabus are the same for all students. The aims are set out below and describe the
educational purposes of a course in a First Language for the IGCSE examination. They are not listed in order
of priority.
The aims are to:
•
enable students to communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively in writing;
•
enable students to understand and respond appropriately to what they read;
•
encourage students to enjoy and appreciate the variety of language;
•
complement the students’ other areas of study by developing skills of a more general application
(e.g. analysis, synthesis, drawing of inferences);
•
promote the students’ personal development and an understanding of themselves and others.
3.2 Assessment objectives
There are ten assessment objectives (AOs) in Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese. The assessment
objectives are grouped according to the three skill areas tested in the examination, as follows:
A
Reading and Directed Writing
Candidates are assessed on their ability to:
AO1
AO2
AO3
AO4
AO5
AO6
understand and convey information
understand, order and present facts, ideas and opinions
evaluate information and select what is relevant to specific purposes
articulate experience and express what is felt and what is imagined
recognise implicit meaning and attitudes
communicate effectively and appropriately.
B
Continuous Writing
Candidates are assessed on their ability to:
AO2
AO4
AO6
order and present facts, ideas and opinions
articulate experience and express what is felt and what is imagined
communicate effectively and appropriately.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
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3. Syllabus aims and assessment
C
Usage
Candidates are assessed on their ability to:
AO7
AO8
AO9
AO10
exercise control of appropriate grammatical structures
demonstrate an awareness of the conventions of paragraphing, sentence structure and punctuation
understand and employ a range of apt vocabulary
show a sense of audience and an awareness of register and style in both formal and informal
situations.
3.3 Specification grid
This grid below shows how assessment objectives relate to the examination papers, described in more
detail in Section 4.
Assessment
objective
Paper 2
Paper 3
AO1
9
9
AO2
9
9
AO3
9
—
AO4
9
9
AO5
9
—
AO6
9
9
AO7
9
9
AO8
9
9
AO9
9
9
AO10
9
9
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
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3. Syllabus aims and assessment
3.4 Exam exclusions
Candidates can combine this syllabus in an examination session with any other CIE syllabus, except:
•
syllabuses with the same title at the same level
Please note that IGCSE, Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificates and O Level syllabuses are at
the same level.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
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4. Description of papers
The question papers are set entirely in the target language.
4.1 Paper 2: Reading and Directed Writing
2¼ hours
Dictionaries may not be used in the examination.
Part 1: There are two passages followed by two questions. The first question tests candidates’ ability to
select, compare and summarise specific information from both passages. The second question
invites a response to the passages in a variety of forms, for example a selective summary, a letter,
a report, a speech, a script of a conversation or broadcast, a continuation of a story, an expressive
development of an idea in the passage, etc.
Part 2: This is a test of usage. Tasks test candidates’ control of grammatical structures and awareness of
register and style.
4.2 Paper 3: Continuous Writing
1¼ hours
Dictionaries may not be used in the examination.
A selection of nine titles are provided calling for an imaginative, narrative or argumentative response in an
appropriate style. Candidates are required to choose one assignment and are advised to write 600–800
characters.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
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5. Curriculum content
All candidates follow the same curriculum.
Assessment Objective
All candidates should be able to:
Candidates who are aiming
for Grades A* to C, should, in
addition, be able to:
A
-
demonstrate understanding of
extended texts
-
show a more precise
understanding of extended texts
-
scan for and extract specific
information, organise material and
present it in a given format
-
show some sense of audience and
awareness of style
-
identify main and subordinate topics,
summarise, paraphrase, re-express
-
recognise the relationship of ideas,
arrangement of concepts
-
draw inferences, evaluate
effectiveness, compare, analyse,
synthesise
-
recognise and respond to more
sophisticated linguistic devices
B
C
Reading and Directed
Writing
Continuous Writing
Usage
-
recognise and respond to simple
linguistic devices including figurative
language
-
edit or elaborate the work of others
-
express thoughts, feelings and
opinions in order to interest, inform or
convince
-
show a wider and more varied
sense of audience and context and
an awareness of different styles
-
demonstrate adequate control of
vocabulary, syntax, grammar and
punctuation
-
demonstrate a sophisticated use of
vocabulary and structures
-
exercise care over punctuation
-
demonstrate accuracy in
punctuation
-
write in accurate simple sentences
-
write accurate complex sentences
-
attempt a variety of sentence
structures
-
employ a varied sentence structure
-
recognise the need for paragraphing
-
write in well constructed
paragraphs
-
use an appropriate vocabulary
-
use an imaginative and varied
vocabulary
-
show some sense of audience and
awareness of style
-
show a clear sense of audience and
awareness of style
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
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6. Grade descriptions
Grade descriptions are provided to give a general indication of the standards of achievement likely to have
been shown by candidates awarded particular grades. The grade awarded will depend in practice upon the
extent to which the candidate has met the assessment objectives overall, and may conceal weakness in one
aspect of the examination that is balanced by above-average performance in some other.
At Grade A the candidate has demonstrated expertise in:
•
understanding and communicating arguments, ideas and information at a straightforward level;
•
structuring work so that the reader or listener can follow the argument from the beginning to the end;
•
selecting material from texts and developing it in relationship to the questions;
•
responding to questions about ideas and attitudes, with some detail;
•
expressing thoughts, feelings and opinions, using an adequate range of vocabulary, syntax and grammar;
•
recognising the writer’s attitude to the subject matter;
•
spelling and punctuating, with few errors;
•
understanding and responding to the written language with few difficulties, and using a wide range of
accurate language and structures and appropriate idiom.
At Grade C the candidate has demonstrated competence in:
•
understanding and communicating arguments, ideas and information at a basic level;
•
ensuring that all work has a clear beginning, middle and ending, and that ideas generally follow on from
one another;
•
selecting material from texts in answer to questions and providing straightforward explanations;
•
responding to questions about ideas and attitudes (but lacking in detail);
•
expressing thoughts, feelings and opinions, using straightforward language;
•
recognising the more obvious meanings and attitudes;
•
spelling and punctuation (with comparatively infrequent mistakes, so that communication is not
impaired);
•
understanding and responding to the written language, with a limited range of language.
At Grade F the candidate has demonstrated competence in:
•
understanding and communicating ideas and information at a basic level;
•
making all work have a clear beginning, middle and ending;
•
providing straightforward answers to questions on material from texts;
•
responding to questions about ideas (but lacking in detail);
•
expressing thoughts and opinions, using straightforward language;
•
recognising the more obvious meanings;
•
spelling and punctuation (so that communication is not seriously impaired);
•
understanding and responding to the written language, with a very basic, limited range of language.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Japanese 0507. Examination in June 2011.
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© University of Cambridge International Examinations 2008